Localized haptic

Abstract

An electronic device has control circuitry configured to provide a first actuation signal and a housing component having an external surface providing a first touch area and an interior surface opposite the external surface and providing a first interior area opposite the first touch area. An ultrasonic wave actuator is mechanically coupled to the interior surface within the first interior area and is capable of imparting a first ultrasonic wave on the first touch area in response to the first actuation signal. At least one passive ultrasonic wave feature is associated with the interior surface of the housing component and bracketing the first interior area, wherein the first ultrasonic wave is confined to the first touch area and provides a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area.

Description

LOCALIZED HAPTICField of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure relates to providing a localized haptic on an electronic device.Background

[0002] Haptics are used to provide user feedback on electronic devices.There is a continuing need to provide a haptic technology that is effective, easy to implement, power efficient, and cost effective to fabricate.

[0003] An electronic device is disclosed with control circuitry configured to provide a first actuation signal and a housing component having an external surface providing a first touch area and an interior surface opposite the external surface and providing a first interior area opposite the first touch area. An ultrasonic wave actuator is mechanically coupled to the interior surface within the first interior area and is capable of imparting a first ultrasonic wave on the first touch area in response to the first actuation signal. At least one passive ultrasonic wave feature is associated with the interior surface of the housing component and bracketing the first interior area, wherein the first ultrasonic wave is confined to the first touch area and provides a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area.

[0004] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror on at least opposing sides of the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.

[0005] In one embodiment, each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one groove in the interior surface.

[0006] In one embodiment, each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one ridge on the interior surface.

[0007] In one embodiment, each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one strip of ultrasonically reflective material on the interior surface.

[0008] In one embodiment, the ultrasonically reflective material is a metal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber on at least opposing sides of the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

[0010] In one embodiment, each ultrasonic absorber is formed from at least one strip of ultrasonically absorbing material on the interior surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ultrasonically absorbing material is a polymer.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror at least partially surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber at least partially surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.

[0015] In one embodiment, the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

[0016] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic wave actuator is a piezoelectric resonator.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in the range of 20 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz,

[0018] In one embodiment, the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in the range of 40 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in the range of 40 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz.

[0020] In one embodiment, the electronic device has at least one force sensor adjacent to or on the first interior area and configured to provide to the control circuitry a touch signal responsive to the first touch area being touched.

[0021] In one embodiment, the electronic device is a smartphone.

[0022] In one embodiment, the electronic device is a smart watch.

[0023] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

[0024] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 is a cross section of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] Figures 2A through 2E illustrate ultrasonic wave features that act as an ultrasonic mirror according to various embodiments.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates an ultrasonic wave feature that acts as an ultrasonic absorber according to various embodiments.

[0028] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate configurations of the ultrasonic wave features according to different embodiments.

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates a configuration of the ultrasonic wave features according to one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 is an electronic block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary actuation signal according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figures 8A and 8B illustrate front and rear isometric views of a traditional smartphone.

[0033] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate front and rear isometric views of a smartphone configured to provide a localized, user-perceptible haptic according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate front and rear isometric views of a traditional smart watch.

[0035] Figures 11 A and 11 B illustrate front and rear isometric views of a smart watch configured to provide a localized, user-perceptible haptic according to one embodiment of the disclosure.Detailed Description

[0036] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

[0037] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending "directly onto" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when anelement such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "over" or extending "over" another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over" or extending "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0039] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and therelevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0042] With reference to Figure 1 , an electronic device 10 is illustrated having a housing component 12, control circuitry 14, an ultrasonic wave actuator 16, and at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature 18 associated with a first touch area 20. The first touch area 20 is on an exterior surface 22 of the housing component 12 and corresponds to a first interior area 24 on the interior surface 26 of the housing component 12. The ultrasonic wave actuator 16 is located on the first interior area 24, while the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 at least bracket opposing sides of the first interior area 24 to essentially define, at least in part, both the first interior area 24 and the corresponding first touch area 20. Use of the ultrasonic wave features 18 provides a localized, user-perceptible haptic that is confined to the first touch area 20.

[0043] The control circuitry 14 is configured to drive the ultrasonic wave actuator 16 with an actuation signal to generate ultrasonic waves on the first touch area 20 on the exterior surface 22 of the housing component 12. Depending on the configuration of the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18, the ultrasonic waves are generally confined within the first touch area 20 and may be either standing ultrasonic waves or traveling ultrasonic waves. If the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic (i.e. acoustic) mirrors, standing ultrasonic waves are provided over and essentially confined to the first touch area. The presence of the standing ultrasonic waves provides a sensation of friction across the first touch area 20 as one slides their finger across the first touch area 20. The effective coefficient of friction for the first touch area 20 is a function of the amplitude of the standing ultrasonic waves, which are dictated by the actuation signal provided by the control circuitry 14. As such, the effective coefficient of friction perceived by a person can be modulated by modulating the standing ultrasonic waves provided on the first touch area 20 via the actuation signal. Interestingly, little or no perception of texture or haptic response is provided to a person in response to a static (non-sliding) touch of the first touch area 20.

[0044] In contrast, if the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic (i.e. acoustic) absorbers, traveling ultrasonic waves are provided over and essentially confined to the first touch area 20. The presence of the traveling ultrasonic waves provides a sensation of a button press at the first touch area 20 as one simply touches, or presses, the first touch area 20, without need for sliding one’s finger across the first touch area. The perceived “click” or relative haptic feedback is a function of the amplitude of the traveling ultrasonic waves, which are dictated by the actuation signal provided by the control circuitry 14. As such, the magnitude of the button-press haptic perceived by a person can be modulated by modulating the traveling ultrasonic waves provided on the first touch area 20 via the actuation signal. Little or no perception of friction is provided to a person in response to a sliding touch across the first touch area 20 with the presence of traveling ultrasonic waves.

[0045] The ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 may be implemented in numerous ways as provided in the examples below; however, these examples are exemplary and not comprehensive, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. When the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic mirrors, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 may take the form of one or more metallic elements 30 that are attached to the interior surface 26 of the housing component 12, as illustrated in Figure 2A. The first interior area 24 is defined or bounded by the one or more metallic elements 30.

[0046] When the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic mirrors, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 may take the form of one or more grooves 32 on the interior surface 26 of the housing component 12, as illustrated in Figure 2B. Concentric grooves 32 may be provided as illustrated in Figure 2C. The grooves 32 may be etched, engraved, or otherwise integrally formed on the interior surface 26 of the housing component 12. The first interior area 24 is defined or bounded by the groove or grooves 32.

[0047] When the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic mirrors, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 may take the form of integrally formed ridges 34 on the interior surface 26 of the housingcomponent 1 , as illustrated in Figure 2D. Concentric ridges 34 may be provided as illustrated in Figure 2E. In essence, the ridges 34 may be formed with the formation of the housing component 12. The first interior area 24 is defined or bounded by the ridge or ridges 34.

[0048] When the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are configured as one or more ultrasonic absorbers, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 may take the form of one or more absorbing elements 36 that are attached to the interior surface 26 of the housing component 12, as illustrated in Figure 3. The absorbing elements may include or be formed from rubber, polymers, foam, hydrogel, liquid (such as water), and the like, as well as compounds containing such materials. The first interior area 24 is defined or bounded by the absorbing elements 36.

[0049] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate two exemplary configurations of the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18. In Figure 4A, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 is a single ultrasonic wave feature 18’ that extends continuously without gaps about the perimeter of the first interior area 24. In Figure 4B, the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 includes two U-shaped ultrasonic wave features 18” that oppose one another and extend along a substantial portion of the perimeter of the first interior area 24. Gaps 28 separate the ends of the two U-shaped features 18”. A substantial portion of the perimeter is defined as at least 80% of the perimeter of the first interior area 24. While Figure 4B illustrates two ultrasonic wave features 18”, any number of features may be used to create an acoustic corral or fence about the first interior area 24.

[0050] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment where the ultrasonic wave feature or features 18 are provided in combination with natural elements of the housing component 12 to encompass a substantial portion of the perimeter of the first interior area 24. Again, the first interior area 24 corresponds to the first touch area 20 on which the ultrasonic waves are confined. As illustrated, two linear ultrasonic wave features 18’” are provided on either side of the ultrasonic wave actuator 16, are parallel with one another, and extend between two opposing edges 40 (i.e. shoulder, bend, side, etc.) of the housing component 12. Theedges 40 and the ultrasonic wave features 18”’ combine to extend about a substantial portion of the perimeter of the first interior area 24 to confine the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave actuator 16. Notably, the housing component 12 may be a unitary structure or a composition of multiple elements of the electronic device 10.

[0051] Exemplary electronics of the electronic device 10 are illustrated in Figure 6 and generally include a power supply 42, the control circuitry 14, and the ultrasonic wave actuator 16. The control circuitry 14 includes processing circuitry 44 and actuator drive circuitry 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply receives a supply voltage Vs from a battery or other power source and provides a relatively high direct current (DC) voltage to the actuator drive circuitry 46 and a relatively low DC voltage to the processing circuitry 44.

[0052] The processing circuitry 44 may include a processor 48, memory 50 associated with the processor circuitry 48, and interface circuitry 52, which controls various input / output (I / O) functions. The memory 50 will store the software and firmware necessary for operation of the electronic device 10. The interface circuitry 52 may provide or receive signals to or from various components, such as displays 54, input devices 56, touch sensors 58, speakers 60, microphones (MICs) 62, and communication interfaces 64. The displays 54 may be traditional or touch screen displays. The input devices 56 may include, but are not limited to, keypads, buttons, track pads, touch screens, and the like. The touch sensors 58 may include, but are not limited to, resistive and capacitive touch sensors. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1 , touch sensors 58 may be provided between the ultrasonic wave actuator 16 and the bracketed ultrasonic wave features 18 on the first interior area 24 of the interior surface 26.

[0053] The communication interfaces 64 may include, but are not limited to, wired and wireless communication interfaces that support Bluetooth, nearfield, wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), cellular, satellite, and like communications.

[0054] The actuator drive circuitry 46 may take various forms. In the illustrated example, the actuator drive circuitry 46 is primarily formed by an H-bridgenetwork 66 formed with transistors Q1 -Q4 and diodes D1 -D4 in traditional fashion. The H-bridge 66 receives the high DC voltage from the power supply 42 and a control signal via one or more connections from the interface circuitry 52 of the processing circuitry 44. Based on the control signal, an actuation signal Vd is provided by the H-bridge 66 of the actuator drive circuitry 46 to drive the ultrasonic wave actuator 16. The ultrasonic wave actuator 16 may take various forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the ultrasonic wave actuator 16 is a piezoelectric resonator having one or multiple piezoelectric layers. Other types of ultrasonic wave actuators 16 may include, but are not limited to, electromagnetic or electro-thermal driving, and the like.

[0055] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary waveform for the actuation signal Vd. The actuation signal Vd is a pulsed signal, wherein the pulses are controlled in amplitude to generate an overall envelope having a sinusoidal function. Varying the amplitude and / or period of the actuation signal Vd varies the amplitude and frequency of the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave actuator 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize alternative ways to control the ultrasonic wave actuator 16 and / or generate the ultrasonic waves.

[0056] The resulting ultrasonic waves induced over the first touch area 20 typically have a frequency higher than 20 KHz, and perhaps within a range of 40 KHz to 500 KHz, 40 KHz to 200 KHz, 100 KHz to 200 KHz, 100 KHz to 500 KHz, or the like. From a surface vibration perspective, the vibration may have amplitudes less than 150nm, 100 nm, 70 nm, or 50 nm, but are not limited thereto. These ranges are merely exemplary, and not intended to limit the scope of the concepts described herein.

[0057] The following description and associated figures illustrate various, nonlimiting, examples in which the concepts described above may be implemented. Figures 8A and 8B are front and rear isometric views of a smartphone 70, such an Apple® iPhone®, on which traditional buttons 72A, 72B, and 72C are provided on a side portion of a housing component 74. The front portion of the smartphone 70 is provided primarily by a touch screen display 76, while the rear portion is defined by a rear panel 78, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

[0058] With reference to Figures 9A and 9B, front and rear isometric views of a smartphone 80 on which the three traditional buttons 72A, 72B, and 72C of the prior embodiment are replaced with touch areas 82A, 82B, and 82C on a side portion of a housing component 84. Each of the touch areas 82A, 82B, 82C corresponds to the first touch area 20, and will be associated with control circuitry 14, ultrasonic wave actuators 16, ultrasonic wave features 18, and touch sensors 58 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. Only the touch areas 82A, 82B, and 82C are illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B, because the control circuitry 14, ultrasonic wave actuators 16, ultrasonic wave features 18, and touch sensors 58 will be provided inside of the smartphone 80. The front portion of the smartphone 80 is provided primarily by a touch screen display 86, while the rear portion is defined by a rear panel 88, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. The ultrasonic wave features 18 may be configured as ultrasonic mirrors or absorbers to facilitate standing or traveling ultrasonic waves, respectively, over the touch areas 82A, 82B, 82C.

[0059] Figures 10A and 10B are front and rear isometric views of a smartwatch 90, such an Apple® Ultra Smartwatch, on which traditional buttons 92A and 92B are provided on a side portion of a housing component 94. The front portion of the smartwatch 90 is provided primarily by a touch screen display 96, while the rear portion is defined by a rear panel 98, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

[0060] With reference to Figures 1 1 A and 11 B, front and rear isometric views of a smartwatch 100 on which the two buttons 92A and 92B of the prior embodiment are replaced with touch areas 102A and 102B on a side portion of a housing component 104. Each of the touch areas 102A and 102B corresponds to the first touch area 20 and will be associated with control circuitry 14, ultrasonic wave actuators 16, ultrasonic wave features 18, and touch sensors 58 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. Only the touch areas 102A and 102B are illustrated in Figures 11 A and 11 B, because the control circuitry 14, ultrasonic wave actuators 16, ultrasonic wave features 18, and touch sensors 58 will be provided inside of the smartwatch 100. The ultrasonic wave features 18 may be configured as ultrasonic mirrors or absorbers to facilitate standing ultrasonic waves tomodulate a perceived coefficient of friction for sliding touch, or traveling ultrasonic waves to control a perceived button press, respectively, over the touch areas 102A and 102B. The front portion of the smartwatch 100 is provided primarily by a touch screen display 106, while the rear portion is defined by a rear panel 108, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. While smartphone and smart watch embodiments are specifically described above, the concepts provided herein apply to tablets, handheld instrumentation, trackpads, electronic mice, personal computers, automotive interfaces, user interfaces, and like systems where tactile feedback is necessary or beneficial.

[0061] In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an electronic device 10 is considered. The method includes providing control circuitry configured to provide a first actuation signal, and a housing component comprising an external surface providing a first touch area, and an interior surface opposite the external surface and providing a first interior area opposite the first touch area. The method also includes providing an ultrasonic wave actuator mechanically coupled to the interior surface within the first interior area and capable of imparting a first ultrasonic wave on the first touch area in response to the first actuation signal; and providing at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature associated with the interior surface of the housing component and bracketing the first interior area, wherein the first ultrasonic wave is confined to the first touch area and provides a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area.

[0062] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 06 January 2026 (06.01.2026)What is claimed is:1 . An electronic device comprising: control circuitry configured to provide a first actuation signal; a housing component comprising: an external surface providing a first touch area, and an interior surface opposite the external surface and providing a first interior area opposite the first touch area; an ultrasonic wave actuator mechanically coupled to the interior surface within the first interior area and capable of imparting a first ultrasonic wave on the first touch area in response to the first actuation signal; and at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature associated with the interior surface of the housing component, wherein: the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature at least brackets opposing sides of the first interior area to at least in part define both the first interior area and the corresponding first touch area; and the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature is configured to confine the first ultrasonic wave within the first touch area to provide a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror on at least the opposing sides of the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 wherein each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one groove in the interior surface.

4. The electronic device of claim 2 wherein each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one ridge on the interior surface.

5. The electronic device of claim 2 wherein each ultrasonic mirror is formed from at least one strip of ultrasonically reflective material on the interior surface.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 wherein the ultrasonically reflective material is a metal.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber on at least the opposing sides of the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

8. The electronic device of claim 7 wherein each ultrasonic absorber is formed from at least one strip of ultrasonically absorbing material on the interior surface.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the ultrasonically absorbing material is a polymer.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror at least partially surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.11 . The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber at least partially surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic mirror surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a standing wave.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature provides an ultrasonic absorber surrounding the first interior area, and the first ultrasonic wave is a traveling wave.

14. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic wave actuator is a piezoelectric resonator.

15. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in a range of 20 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz.

16. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in a range of 40 kilohertz and 200 kilohertz.

17. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first ultrasonic wave has a frequency in a range of 40 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz.

18. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising at least one force sensor adjacent to or on the first interior area and configured to provide to the control circuitry a touch signal responsive to the first touch area being touched.

19. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a smartphone.

20. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a smart watch.21 . A method of manufacturing an electronic device comprising: providing control circuitry configured to provide a first actuation signal; providing a housing component comprising: an external surface providing a first touch area, andan interior surface opposite the external surface and providing a first interior area opposite the first touch area; providing an ultrasonic wave actuator mechanically coupled to the interior surface within the first interior area and capable of imparting a first ultrasonic wave on the first touch area in response to the first actuation signal; and providing at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature associated with the interior surface of the housing component, wherein: the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature at least brackets opposing sides of the first interior area to at least in part define both the first interior area and the corresponding first touch area; and the at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature is configured to confine the first ultrasonic wave within the first touch area to provide a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area.STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)Applicant has submitted amendments under Article 19 PCT for the abovereferenced application.Applicant has amended original claims 1, 2, 7, and 21.Claim 1 has been amended to clarify both the characteristics and the placement of the claimed at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature, thereby distinguishing it from an edge / corner of a conventional tactile panel. In particular, the claimed at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature is required (1) to at least bracket opposing sides of the first interior area, within which the ultrasonic wave actuator is mechanically coupled to the interior surface, and (2) to be configured to confine the first ultrasonic wave within the first touch area to provide a first localized, user-perceptible haptic associated with the first touch area. Accordingly, the claimed at least one passive ultrasonic wave feature differs from an edge or corner of a conventional tactile panel positioned near a piezoelectric actuator, or differs from a spacer attached to the interior surface of the tactile panel but offset from the area where the piezoelectric actuator is located.Original claims 2 and 7 have been amended to revise the antecedent basis for the phrase “ opposing sides of the first interior area."Original claim 21 has been amended to include similar features to claim 1.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. With best regards, I am

Images